THE mother of a Crewe man fighting for his life after he was left for dead by an attacker is making a heartbreaking plea for help.

Jamie Corbett, 29, of Vernon Street, is critically ill in intensive care at North Staffordshire Hospital.

He had been sitting on a bench outside his home when a man approached him and, after a disagreement, he was beaten and left lying in the street.

His mother Jane Corbett believes that a couple may have seen what happened and is desperate for them to come forward with information.

She said: 'We believe that there was a couple who walked past at the time of the attack. I am pleading with them to come forward with information.

'They may not have realised the severity of the situation, but my son might not live. As things stand, the culprit could walk free.'

The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 25, between 9.30 and 10.30pm, in the Derby Docks area of Crewe. Jamie was transferred from Leighton Hospital to North Staffs hospital in Stoke after the extent of the brain damage was assessed.

The front of his skull has been removed to allow for the swelling, and doctors have warned that should he become stable again, it is likely that he will be severely disabled.

Mrs Corbett added: 'My partner and I are with him every day by his side.

'Should he get through, it is us who will have to look after him. The doctors have told us that they can't be certain how serious it will be.

'At best it could be a total memory loss.

'It's a life sentence for us and Jamie, while the culprit will barely get anything in comparison. We want justice for Jamie, and we need these people, or anyone else, to come forward.'

A police spokesman said a 24-year-old man been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and released on police bail.